Application numbers at UOIT continue to show positive growth

More students indicating UOIT as their top university choice

OSHAWA, ON - As the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) prepares to welcome its ninth first-year class in September, more students than ever before are choosing the Oshawa university as one of their top-three post-secondary education destinations.

The latest numbers from the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) show that more than 7,000 applications to UOIT have been received for the forthcoming academic year. This represents a 7.3 per cent increase when compared to the same time last year. Across Ontario, the overall university application pool increased by 2.2 per cent.

"We are delighted with the growing interest among high school students and awareness of the many unique programs we offer here," said Victoria Choy, registrar, UOIT. "Also extremely encouraging is the year-over-year percentage increases we are seeing among students who are not just making UOIT one of their top three choices, but the number who are making us their first choice."

OUAC numbers indicate that UOIT has received 1,256 first-choice applications from Ontario secondary school students, an increase of 7.4 per cent over last year (Ontario average: 2.4 per cent). The number of second-choice applications to UOIT has increased by 11.4 per cent (Ontario average: 2.6 per cent) and there was 10.3 per cent growth in applications from high school students selecting UOIT as their third option (Ontario average: 2.6 per cent).

"These positive numbers can be attributed to a range of factors," said Choy. "With each year, there is a larger group of people with UOIT degrees in the marketplace, so clearly our graduates are generating a positive reputation for the university. In our technology-rich learning environment, we offer a wide range of market-driven undergraduate programs, many of which are not available anywhere else. UOIT has state-of-the-art facilities at the north Oshawa and downtown Oshawa campus locations. And the word is out about our growing innovative graduate program offerings at the Master's and PhD levels."

And for UOIT applicants who already have some post-secondary experience in a college program, there is growing interest in the university's bridge programs whereby college students or graduates can transfer into UOIT degree programs with advanced standing. On January 17, the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MCTU) outlined details of an enhanced Ontario credit transfer system, which allows universities and colleges to continue to build more pathways for learning, and equip students with the necessary skills and credentials needed for future success.

"Creating opportunities for student transition from college-level programs to the completion of a university degree is embedded in UOIT's mission and mandate, so we are pleased to be aligned with the initiatives of the MTCU," says Choy. "We are seeing significant growth in applications to some of our existing bridge programs that span Commerce, Communication, Criminology and Justice, Information Technology, IT Game Development and Legal Studies. And this fall, to coincide with the opening of UOIT's new Energy Research Centre, we are launching the Bachelor of Applied Science in Nuclear Power bridge program."

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About UOIT

As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; Science; and Social Science and Humanities. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including six Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
289.928.3653
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca